Staff Blog

They flew! That was the great news that Marlys gave us early this morning. Thomas, our little four month-old boy and his caregivers were able to board a plane for Manila where he will be having two major surgeries in the coming days.

Getting permission to fly was not easy. Marlys and our head nurse, Warlita, had to bring him to the airport on Friday to see a doctor. Thomas has choanal atresia, which is causing a complete blockage of th eleft nostril. The right nostril has a very small opening, which is why he is alive. He also has craniosynostosis. His skyll bones fused together prematurely. Surgeons will need to remove bone from his skull to make space for his brain.  Because these surgeries cannot be done in Cebu, and because the cranial problem is very critical as the brain is being constricted, alternate plans were needed. Cebu doctors were very helpful in referring him to some Manila surgeons, a hospital was found where they could do the surgery, and a host of other plans and preparations were initiated by Marlys and her medical team. It is a very daunting tasks to arrange for something this critical in a city other than where we live. We needed to find workers able and willing to go to Manila for an extended time, nurses we could hire during the long recovery period, a way to get money up there for deposits and payments to doctors, pharmacies and the hospital. So many things had to be considered, and there isn't time to waste.

To be sure, our taking on something like this required the cooperation, kindness and generosity of many people. Some dear folks volunteered to give money towards the surgery. Friends in Metro Manila offered to be the "bag men," helping us channel cash to those we will need to pay, so we don't have to bring large amounts of cash up to Manila. (The hospital does not accept checks or credit cards. Cash only.) Our doctors in Cebu were there to give us advise and to make the recommendation to the airline that he was okay to travel. CSC workers volunteered to go to provide loving care to Thomas  before and after the operations. Child caring agencies in Manila offered lodging for our workers and for Thomas during his recovery period. CSC supporters have been praying. 

We know that in the coming days lots more efforts, prayers, contributions and advise will be needed. We have been taking this whole thing on a day to day basis, handling the hurdles needed for that day.  But nothing would matter if he wasn't able to get to Manila. But God helped us clear that hurdle. Two separate doctors' approvals were needed. On Friday, Marlys and Warlita had to bring Thomas out to the airport (about an hour's drive) to be seen by Dr.#1. When they walked into his office Warlita recognized him. It turns out that they come from the same town in northern Cebu. The were neighbors when Warlita was growing up. So that helped a lot in getting the first clearance. They were able to purchase tickets for an early morning flight today. But Dr. #2 stood between them and the airplane. He gave Thomas a brief examination and pronounced him okay for travel. So they were off this morning to meet with the doctors and schedule the needed surgeries. (Warlita reported that Thomas slept for most of the flight and did very well.) The first will be on Monday. And its possible they might do them at the same time. The caregivers who went to minister to Thomas are Delia and Rhea.

Then the next phase in this Christmas adventure will begin. Thanks for your caring heart which helps sustain our ministry and extend the best care possible to our children, especially Thomas. 



The other day the children presented a Christmas play for the Children of Hope School morning meeting. There were angels, wise men, shepherds and the other traditional manger scene personalities. As I watched the students deliver their songs and lines I was impressed with one performance more than any other. Grace was the number one star of the show in my opinion.

Grace was assigned to assist with Wilmar, a 12 year-old boy who is full of life and enthusiasm. Wilmar has autism. He always sings loudly and enthusicastically, but not always when he is supposed to sing. He needs lots of instruction and encouragement to keep quiet when others are talking or singing, and to remain in his place when it is so much more fun to wander around the stage area. Often, we have an aide or one of our therapists assigned to help Wilmar, but that can be very distracting and take away from the childrens' performance. On this day, Grace had the job and she was spectacular. She led Wilmar when he needed leading, corrected him when he sang or spoke out of turn, and gave encouraging words and even a few stern glances. She had to worry about her own lines and movements as well as Wilmar's, and she never faltered once during the whole show.

Grace understands what we all do at Children of Hope School. She knows that, if we are going to have students like Wilmar in our school, or in the Shelter, it is takes extra efforts from caregivers, teachers, therapists and the other children in the home and at school. We all have a role to play in helping them with navigation, and, often, with behavioral issues that might make it otherwise difficult or impossible for them to participate in activities. Inclusion is something we pride ourselves on at CSC and CHS. And everyone is needed to make it work. Grace did it so well the other day, and I was  so proud of her and the teachers who model the compassion, compromise and commitment needed to let Wilmar, and Grace, and all the other students shine in our school.

I have been back in the Philippines for all of a week and a half.  I was in MN when Typhoon Yolanda tore its path of devastation through this beautiful, but already struggling country.  I should not even talk about my fears as I watched the huge swirling mass of red, orange, blue and green hover over the Visayas from the comfort of my sister's sturdy home, thousands of miles away from it all.  Those that experienced it are still reeling from the trauma of it all I imagine.  Truth be told, I was afraid.  I feared for the safety of our children, for the staff, my friends and loved ones here.  I was grateful that my family and friends in the US did not have to include me in their prayers for the Philippines, but really I was wishing I was here.  To help.  To make sure.  To comfort.  To do something.

Now I am here and I have some observations to share.  The part of Cebu where the shelter is located, and where my home is, was not ripped apart, flattened or caked in mud like Tacloban or Ormoc were.  I have heard stories of the smell of that mud and my heart goes out to those living in that.  You might not even think that the most devastating storm in all of recorded history came through here if you didn't look closely.  But things are different.  

All of the trees in the front yard of our school were either blown over by the force of the winds or cut down to prevent damage to our buildings.  There is no more shade there for our guard and it admittedly looks lonely.  There are trees that are missing from the front of one of our houses also.  Minor, but different.

There are other things that are different.  

The malls are overflowing with people that are homeless, displaced from the areas most damaged.  There are always a lot of people around, but now, everywhere, all the time---there are just more people.  

And brownouts/blackouts---they are more frequent now.  I have heard that areas are going without power to reserve or provide for the areas without.

Traffic is a lot heavier, jeeps are often incredibly full.  Last night I saw a group of people start running toward a jeep that was slowing down, the urgency to get a ride was very apparent.  

The list of waiting children has grown rapidly as families that were once able to make it on their own have lost homes or family members and can no longer care for their own.  CSC's help is in desperate need.

I share these observations for a few reasons.  The Philippines still need your prayers!  The islands that were decimated are still greatly in need.  CSC has created a Relief Committee and as you have read, there have already been two trips to affected areas and CSC will continue to determine how we can reach out.  The need is far greater than something we can manage, but the grateful smiles and sighs of relief of those we are able to give food or clothing to are all the encouragement we need to continue helping in whatever way we can. 

And though Cebu was not damaged, things in Cebu are different.  I cannot begin to explain or understand why we were spared and others not and the effects from the storm for us are nothing to compared to those who lost everything.  But I share these so that others may know that life is not back to normal for the Philippines.  Prayers are still needed and greatly appreciated.  

I know God is at work in this country.  And I thank Him for His protection over CSC.  Because we were spared, we can help others.

This was a heavier blog than I originally intended when I sat down at my computer.  To end things on a lighter note, this is how I spent my morning!  

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

"O give thanks unto the Lord, call upon His name: Make known His deeds among the people.  Sing unto Him, sing psalms unto Him: talk ye of all His wondrous works."  Psalm 105:1-2

Yesterday we celebrated Thanksgiving here for the kids and the staff!  Much fun was had and the children told of the many things they are grateful for: 

God

the Aunties

CSC

the Staff

Food

Family

We have many things to be grateful for here at CSC.  We are safe, the kids are healthy and happy.  We have food to give them, teachers to teach them, house parents to guide them and so MANY supporters who are praying for them and giving to this ministry.  THANK YOU!  And God's hand is on CSC, on our kids, on our workers and on our lives.  

We are truly blessed!

The recent earthquake in Cebu and the neighboring island of Bohol has resulted in suffering and loss of property. Filipinos have responded with generous efforts to help out. Food, clothing, water and building supplies are being donated and distributed by private citizens, businesses and civic organizations, even as the Philippine government and NGOs direct larger amounts of relief aid to the victims.

A few days after the quake, Ruth Ohlendorf was talking to the Teen Home residents about the relief efforts. They mentioned to her that they would love to help. They asked about the amount of money they each had in their allowance fund, and each decided to give to buy supplies for those who were hurting. One resident gave all of her money to the project. With their pooled allowances, Julieto and Roselyn went shopping at the local supermarket, and the purchased goods were brought to a distribution center.

Without being asked or even encouraged to give, these young adults responded out of love and compassion. Their hearts are good!